The Pilgrim Series
My work explores issues of identity as a social construct. Our sense of self is shaped by our interactions with others and the environments we inhabit. We are not isolated beings, but participants in shared experiences and narratives rooted in specific contexts. Our most authentic sense of self diminishes without dialogue with others and engagement with the world. St. Ignatius exemplifies the journey from self-centeredness to full engagement with the people and circumstances of his time.
Peter Paul Rubens’ etchings The Life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola form the foundation for this series of paintings, which illustrate a modern man's search for his truest self. These 17th-century etchings demonstrate that questions of authenticity, meaning, and reality remain just as relevant in the 21st century. The intertwining storylines follow an archetypal hero’s journey through a series of transformative experiences: he overcomes adversity, leaves behind family and homeland, undertakes an altruistic quest, and ultimately becomes an inspiration to others.
This series invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery within today’s social and cultural landscape. By bridging historical imagery with contemporary themes, the paintings suggest that identity is not a fixed truth but a continuous process shaped by change, connection, and purpose. The modern figure, like Ignatius, becomes a vessel through which timeless questions are reimagined in a world still grappling with what it means to live authentically.